On the Day of Surgery

Arriving. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled surgery. Our friendly and personable nurse/receptionist will greet you, help reduce your anxiety, answer last minute questions and escort you to the treatment room. You may have to complete any remaining forms or transactions.

Sedation & Anesthesia. If you are having IV sedation, we will spray the area with a numbing agent right before the oral surgeon starts an IV. This is probably the most anxious part for most people, yet by far, the simplest and most painless. Our assistants will then check your blood pressure and oxygenation level. Oxygen is administered through a nasal mask. Anesthesia is given through the IV line. A minute or two later, you'll feel quite tired and sleepy. Once you are completely asleep and comfortable, the surgeon places local anesthesia to numb the extraction areas.

During Surgery. A rubber bite block helps to support your jaw during surgery and also keeps your mouth open if you are being sedated. It also protects your jaw joint (TMJ) by preventing excessive pressure during surgery. The surgeon then performs the surgery as planned, with the assistants' help.

Sutures. Sutures are used to close the extraction sites and improve the healing process. We always place sutures on the lower wisdom teeth, while they are optional on the upper teeth. Sutures may be either resorbable (dissolve in 5-7 days) or require removal. Both types work well and selection is based on the surgeon's preference. If you cannot return for suture removal, resorbable sutures will be used.

Right After Surgery. You shouldn't worry about waking up in the middle of surgery. Anesthesia medications are given as needed to make sure you remain asleep and comfortable. At end of surgery, you will awake to a tap on your shoulder and a gentle voice saying: "Hi, can you open your eyes?"

Recovery Room. The surgeon will reassure you that surgery is finished and everything went well. Monitors and IV are removed and you are escorted to the recovery room. A few minutes later, your escort can keep you company as you recover from the anesthesia.